New Zealand Begin a Fresh Era Under New Captain Kane Williamson

New Zealand’s Test cricket team begins a fresh era under new captain Kane Williamson (25)on Thursday July 28,2016, when they start a two-match series against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club.

Kane Williamson has the benefit of beginning his tenure against Test cricket's weakest nation, who have not played a Test match since losing 3-0 to Bangladesh in November 2014.

Nevertheless, New Zealand have not forgotten the last time that they played a Test in Zimbabwe, when the hosts threatened to chase down a target of 366 and lost by just 34 runs

Zimbabwe will be without strike bowlers Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara, while legspinner Graeme Cremer will captain for the first time in a Test.


New Zealand’s last Test assignment took place back in February 2016, when former captain Brendon McCullum closed his international career with a typically buccaneering century as the Black Caps lost to Australia by 7 wickets in Christchurch.

Brendon McCullum was credited with turning around New Zealand’s fortunes and image over his last three years as captain, when he led them to the final of the 50-over World Cup and adopted a popular, attacking approach to all forms of the game.

Brendon McCullum's retirement has given Kane Williamson the opportunity to create his own legacy as New Zealand’s 29th Test captain, and his record as a batsman allied with a calm demeanour has suggested that he will be more than capable.

In 2015 Kane Williamson scored 2692 international runs across the three formats, the third highest of any player in a calendar year, and also became the sixth batsman to score 10 Test hundreds before the age of 25. Also he was named as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer of the Year for his efforts

Zimbabwe Vs New Zealand 2-Match Test Series Schedule

• First Test @ @ Queens Sports Club, BulawayoJuly 28 - Aug 01,2016
• Second Test @  @ Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Aug 06-10,2016

Zimbabwe Squad for 2-Match Test Series

Graeme Cremer (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tino Mawoyo, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams

New Zealand Squad for 2-Match Test Series

Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.

Note

New Zealand will play two Tests against Zimbabwe in Harare, starting on July 29 and August 6 respectively.
They then go to South Africa for Tests in Durban and Centurion, starting on August 19 and August 27.